Aviation Surveillance Specialist

AVIATION SURVEILLANCE SPECIALIST

Job Number: 413665

This position is part of the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Security Operations division and focuses on maintaining the safety and security of O’Hare International Airport. Two (2) positions are available, with additional vacancies possible pending budget approval. The salary for this position is $56,496 annually (YR-12) and the role is classified under the City’s Career Service. Applicants must pass an airport background check and a Security Threat Assessment (STA).

• Monitors and operates a Genetec video management surveillance system, providing continuous observation of transit, department, and TSA cameras from different angles and directions in and around the airport.
• Monitors, detects, and tracks drone activity in and around airports.
• Identifies and reports intrusions, suspicious activity, and access restrictions recorded by the surveillance system.
• Utilizes automatic license plate recognition to assist in identifying vehicle license plates.
• Coordinates responses to real‑time observations and information on situations impacting airport operations, including safety and public‑safety related matters.
• Analyzes flow of passengers, wait lines, crowd controls, parking, and curbside management throughout the airports and terminals, reporting areas of concern.
• Receives and inputs Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).
• Relays and communicates to the Watch Manager and O’Hare Communications Center (OCC) dispatcher detailed descriptions of observed activities, physical descriptions of individuals, and movement of traffic and individuals in the view area.
• Researches local, national, and international news sources and social media feeds to identify potential security impacts.
• Compiles security and surveillance details and prepares daily security bulletins.
• Coordinates with local and federal authorities by responding to requests for information.
• Acts as a liaison with law‑enforcement organizations and agencies for information sharing.
• Receives notifications of emergency calls in the area of surveillance cameras, observes activities, and reports observations to the Watch Manager and OCC dispatchers.
• Documents daily activities and incident reports that are concise, informative, and accurate.
• Retrieves and records requested segments of video tape, as required.
• Monitors, tracks drone detection equipment, and makes appropriate notifications.
• Testifies in court regarding established protocols, as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

• Three (3) years of public safety, video technology, or professional security officer work experience; OR
• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate’s degree or higher, plus one (1) year of work experience in public safety, video technology, or as a professional security officer.

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. Interviewed applicants possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities will be hired.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 pm CST on 1/12/2026. The posting was released on 12 Dec 2025 and the closing date is 13 Jan 2026.

Salary: $56,496 annually. For information on employee benefits, visit: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). For salary and title structure, visit: https:// Classification/

We are committed to hiring applicants with diverse experience. The City adopts ordinances 2‑74‑020 and 2‑74‑075, providing preference to veterans of the Armed Forces and/or residents of socio‑economically disadvantaged areas, as well as Chicago Public School graduates. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders as defined by collective bargaining agreements.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer. All references to political sponsorship or recommendation must be omitted from application materials.